Chapter Three

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December 20th.

Stuck at the office. The live music had already begun but I had been forced to stay. I had wanted to change beforehand as well but what if I missed the masked singer? These thoughts irritated me since all day my body had itched to run to that pub and figure out who they were. That dance we shared - it still crossed my mind. I enter the work bathroom before leaving and make sure I'm at least presentable. Thank you universe for giving me a sense of style for these moments. I looked good despite being at work all day.

I slowly tiptoe out of the bathroom since the boss was still in his office, I had taken off my high heeled shoes and switched with my winter boots in order to lessen the chances of the announcement of my departure - I wasn't supposed to be leaving right now but fuck it. I have a life you know? Itching around corners and holding my breaths I finally manage to exit the building - time to face fate. The night air felt cool and refreshing on my face, and the walk calmed the stress of the work day, falling off me with each step. As I get closer to the pub I can hear the familiar song of "all I want for Christmas is youuuuUUU." The building from the outside has a warm welcoming glow and as I enter the building the warmth wraps its arms around me, I couldn't help but smile. I hustle around others towards an empty table and collapse into the booth, my shoulders relax. The band who I learned later were Daft Pretty Boys finished up their song, thanked the audience. They left the set and SHINee were called to be up next. After a short break, of course. I felt nervous, the mask truly was about to come off but then J walked past me. Okay - I wasn't expecting to see this person today. I'll be seeing both my strange encounters in the same evening - interesting...I had to not let out a gasp. He turns towards my direction and smiles, I find myself melting a little.

"You're here!" he announces with his arms in the air, and with a grin they ask "first the cinema, then my work - are you following me?" He says with a hint of foxiness.

I laugh. "No-no! I am just here to see SHINee perform. I enjoyed their sound at this work event I had recently."

They cocked their head to the side and a smirk appeared. It almost seemed like they were planning something.

"I'll be back, don't move!"

And with that J disappears into the distance.

A person comes up to me turning my attention away from the stage and they ask if they can sit at my table since no more were available. I smile and invite them to join me at the table. The notes of Last Christmas fill up the room, and with that I direct my attention to the stage. I lock eyes with J. My heart stops and it's hard to breathe once they start to sing. The masked singer. I felt dizzy with this new information, the handsome stranger and masked singer were both the same person, how, what, why? I couldn't stop staring at J despite my dizziness, they had such a presence on the stage. I could feel the emotion of the song through their voice. It made me want to cry. Though I had already heard their voice once before, it really sounded like I was hearing them for the first time. An angelic cry, is that a correct way to describe what I am hearing right now? Let me escape and live in these harmonic notes - let me breathe in the beauty. As the song ends, I find myself wiping away a few tears that had escaped without my notice. I think I held my breath the entire evening - J's voice cemented me into my seat like a statue. I simply could not move, even if I wanted to run away I could not.

The last song had ended meaning the night was coming to a close, maybe I could slip away. It wasn't the fact I didn't want to speak to J, it was the exact fact that I wanted to speak to them so much. I wanted to tell them they reminded me of the Moon, that's a little too forward and weird. But if we did speak, I would imagine the sound of the bells would be ringing in my head. It was just a feeling. I begin to pick up my things and wrap my scarf around my neck - I look up and see Jane standing in front of me.

Oh.

"I wiiiiiiish I knew you were coming today, we could have sat together." She says with a hint of a fabricated lie.

"Yeah, work has been a little crazy lately. I wasn't really sure if I could make it. Besides that - isn't this a little out of your way?"

She only ever came here when our group met up a few times a year.

"I know JongHyun and his band." She states.

JongHyun.

The next thing I knew they were standing next to me. It was as if they were summoned. I saw Jane smile, it felt sinister.

"JongHyun! Remember that person I was telling you I could hook you up with but they rejected my offer? This is them! They have high standards apparently," Laughs Jane, letting loose into the wild a spike of anxiety throughout my body.

My eyes widened at how unforgiving that act was, I felt embarrassed. We both didn't know what to say.

"Anywaaays, JongHyun you were faaaantasitc tonight." Jane slurs here words. An uncomfortable feeling sits inside my stomach as she clings onto his arm. He awkwardly laughs.

"Did you meet Jane through university?" JongHyun asks me, ignoring the comments of the subject of conversation.

I laugh, "yes, we had a couple classes together and became friends through that - I think the class was Tudors." "

Ah, history major? I admire that; you'll have to tell me more someday." He removes Jane from his arm,

"Nice to see you again, have a good evening." He leaves with a smile and the desire to speak to him more - I had so many questions.

"You too..." I echo slightly.

As I was walking home I remembered Jane's words to JongHyun. Why did she have to say that? Why would you tell him that? What good does that do in any situation, it's food for a heartache. I wonder why she must push me so much and critique my love life. I would love to meet someone and fall in love, I am a human after all and those jabs she punctures into my chest each time hurt more and more. She has always been this way. I check my pocket for my phone, it's not there nor was it in my bag. I felt like collapsing into the snow, I had to go back.

The dizziness in my mind came back, I really just wanted to go to bed. I passed strangers on my way back, they had auras of holiday cheer - will one holiday season be peaceful for me? I dodged every figure that passed me, unknowingly almost walking into me - it was as if I didn't exist. I checked my reflection in store windows, to make sure that I was still existing.

I see a figure in the distance - they wave and I ignore it. For it was for someone behind me - yet they persisted to wave in my direction...or should I say atmosphere. I pay attention and notice it's JongHyun - I felt caught - red faced. I shuffle towards them knowing I could not escape this situation, here we go. We reached each other and the air seemed still. They broke the silence.

"You forgot your phone Cinderella." They reach into their pocket and hand over my phone.

I reach for it.

Our hands briefly make contact and I almost find myself jumping from our static energy. They smile at me while shoving their hands into their pockets.

"Thank you..." I look at the floor, "sorry for the hassle - I didn't mean to leave it."

I still felt embarrassed.

JongHyun laughed - and it felt as if I had been warm in the first time in a while. It felt nice.

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